The new Sony WH-1000XM5 active noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones are not your typical headphones that grace the hallowed pages of PC Gamer. They're not gaming headphones, they're not 2.4Ghz wireless, and they don't have RGB bling. But for most people, few headphones will be as comprehensive and high-performing as the XM5.

They are extremely comfortable, sound great, and have best-in-class noise-canceling features that no gaming headset can match; at $400, they are not cheap, but they offer incredible utility and versatility that many gamers will appreciate; as the gold standard for ANC headphones, everyone The XM5, the sequel to the WH-1000XM4, which is hailed by many as the gold standard in ANC headphones, improves on the XM4 in many ways, but stumbles in others. [First, the design. Sony has done away with the classic folding headband design that allowed the XM4s to fit in a travel pouch. Instead, the XM5s feature a thinner, fixed headband and rotating ear cups that stop at a 90-degree turn. This makes the XM5's case larger (albeit flatter) and less suitable for travel.

Furthermore, Sony has stripped the XM5 of its aesthetic appeal and personality. Without the Sony logo on the earcup arms, this is essentially a bland, generic looking headset, which is surprising when headsets like the Master & Dynamic MW75 and Bowers & Wilkins P7X are so stylish and easily identifiable Movement.

Looks aside, the XM5's comfort and sturdiness are undeniable. The plump memory foam ear cups completely cover the ears, and the headband has the right amount of tightness. I never felt uncomfortable, even when wearing glasses. The headband is thinner, but not less comfortable than the XM4.

The XM5 has upgraded 30mm drivers, which are much more powerful than the larger drivers found in many gaming headsets. Sony has also added LDAC and its proprietary DSEE Extreme smart processing to provide upscaled audio, high-res audio, and 360 spatial audio. The XM5 therefore produces a luxurious, rich sound with powerful bass and clear mids and highs. So whether I was listening to a classical opera, watching Netflix, or blasting through a horde of aliens in Destiny 2, the XM5 sounded truly amazing.

And, of course, there is its ability to completely eliminate annoying background noise that interferes with listening enjoyment: the XM5 remains the undisputed king of ANC; the common white noise that surrounds us, such as PCs, air conditioning, road traffic, and airplane cabin noise It will be interesting to see how well it can eliminate common white noise around us, such as PCs, air conditioners, road traffic, and airplane cabin noise.

Sony has doubled the number of ANC microphones to eight, and two audio processors constantly monitor and adjust for ambient noise. This is a great feature, and you can easily see what a difference it makes when you are inside the house, for example, versus outside on a busy street. Smartness is still present in the four beamforming microphones, which are excellent for calling and chatting. Even on a noisy roadside, the caller can hear you with perfect clarity.

Sony includes a handy Android and IOS app that lets you change ANC settings, EQ profiles, touch controls, and more. The touch controls are also really intuitive, allowing you to manage your media with a combination of swipe gestures and taps. My favorite part is cupping the right ear cup to activate the temporary invisibility mode, which allows you to hear what's going on around you without having to remove the headset. Even better is the call feature, which allows you to do the same thing without using your hands, but it can be problematic for those who sing along or talk to themselves a lot.

The XM5s uses multipoint Bluetooth 5.2 to connect to two devices simultaneously. This means you can make a phone call while playing a game on your PC; pairing is easy thanks to Google Fast Pair and Windows Swift Pair support. And if you misplace it, Google's Find My Device app will tell you where it is.

The XM5's battery life is an acceptable 30 hours with ANC and 40 hours without, while competitors like Sennheiser's new Momentum 4 are twice that. But it's enough to get you through a transatlantic flight or a day-and-a-half streaming marathon. Sony has included fast charging via USB Type-C, which allows for three hours of use after just three minutes of charging.

In any case, the headphones can be used with a 3.5mm cable connection even when flat. This is also a good way for gamers to use the XM5s. Although the smart and noise-canceling features will not be available, the XM5s sound great. So whether you plug it into a game console controller or your PC's audio jack, you will get the best audio experience possible.

Sony's WH-1000XM5 is the total package and one of the best Bluetooth headphones for most people. Its updated aesthetic is not appealing to me, but I am pleased with its overall performance. However, the WH-1000XM4s are also worth considering.